Method for controlling home network system

Abstract

A method of communicating between a first device and at least one second device, includes determining whether the at least one second device includes first individual user interface information and first function information; sending the first function information from the at least one second device to the first device if it is determined that the at least one second device includes the first function information; and performing communication between the first device and the at least one second device based on the received first function information.

1. A method of communicating between a first device and at least one second device, the method comprising:
 prestoring in the first device an original version of first user interface information and first function information used in communicating with the at least one second device, the prestored information corresponding to a previous upload from a memory of the at least one second device; 
 comparing the original version of the first user interface information and the first function information prestored in the first device to first user interface information and first function information stored in the memory of the at least one second device to determine whether the first user interface information and the first function information stored in the memory of the at least one second device corresponds to an updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the at least one second device; 
 sending the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information from the at least one second device to the first device, if it is determined that the at least one second device includes the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information for controlling the at least one second device; 
 performing communication between the first device and the at least one second device based on the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information, if the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information is received by the first device; and 
 performing communication between the first device and the at least one second device based on the original version of the first user interface information and the first function information prestored in the first device, if it is determined that the at least one second device does not include the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information for controlling the at least one second device, 
 wherein the at least one second device is controlled based on one of the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information and the original version of the first user interface information and the first function information, the one of the updated version of the first function information and the original version of the first function information controlling at least one function of the at least one second device based on the one of the updated version of the first user interface information and the original version of the first user interface information. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 confirming a connection between the first device and the at least one second device when power is supplied to the first device. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first device and the at least one second device are parts of a home network control protocol (HNCP) network. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising prestoring in the first device basic user interface information and basic function information for controlling the at least one second device when the information prestored in the first device is deleted and the memory of the at least one second device does not have first user interface information and first function information. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first user interface information and the first function information are deleted from the first device when power to the first device is turned off. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said comparing and said sending are performed automatically when the first device is powered. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the memory of the at least one second device is a storage area on a database server accessible over the Internet,
 wherein said comparing and said sending are performed over the Internet, and 
 wherein the first device communicates with the at least one second device via a home network control protocol (HNCP) network. 
 
     
     
       8. A communication system comprising:
 at least one second device; and 
 a first device coupled to the at least one second device, the first device being configured to: 
 prestore in said first device an original version of first user interface information and first function information used in communicating with the at least one second device, the prestored information corresponding to a previous upload from a memory of the at least one second device, 
 compare the prestored information in said first device to first user interface information and first function information stored in the memory of the at least one second device to determine whether the information stored in the memory of the at least one second device corresponds to an updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the at least one second device, 
 receive the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information from the at least one second device, if it is determined that the at least one second device includes the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information for controlling the at least one second device, 
 communicate with the at least one second device based on the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information, if the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information is received, and 
 communicate with the at least one second device based on the prestored information, if it is determined that the at least one second device does not include the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information for controlling the at least one second device, 
 wherein the at least one second device is controlled based on one of the updated version of the first user interface information and the first function information and the original version of the first user interface information and the first function information, the one of the updated version of the first function information and the original version of the first function information controlling at least one function of the at least one second device based on the one of the updated version of the first user interface information and the original version of the first user interface information. 
 
     
     
       9. The communication system according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the original version of the first user interface information and the first function information is prestored in at least one of an internal storage means of the first device and an external storage means associated with the first device, and 
 wherein the internal storage means is a master hard disc drive and the external storage means is a memory area of a personal video recorder. 
 
     
     
       10. A master appliance communicating with a slave appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store an original version of user interface information and function information used in communicating with the slave appliance, the stored information corresponding to a previous upload from a memory of the slave appliance; and   a master control device configured to
 confirm a connection with the slave appliance, 
 compare the stored original version information to information stored in the memory of the connected slave appliance to determine whether the information stored in the memory of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 receive the updated version of user interface information and function information from the slave appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 communicate with the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the updated version of user interface information and function information is received, and 
 communicate with the slave appliance based on the stored original version information, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the updated version of user interface information and function information and the original version of user interface information and function information, the one of the updated version of function information and the original version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the updated version of user interface information and the original version of user interface information.   
     
     
       11. A method of communicating with a slave appliance, in a master appliance, comprising:
 storing an original version of user interface information and function information used in communicating with the slave appliance, the stored information corresponding to a previous upload from a memory of the slave appliance;   comparing the stored original version information to information stored in the memory of the connected slave appliance to determine whether the information stored in the memory of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance;   receiving the updated version of user interface information and function information from the slave appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance;   communicating with the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the updated version of user interface information and function information is received; and   communicating with the slave appliance based on the stored original version information, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the updated version of user interface information and function information and the original version of user interface information and function information, the one of the updated version of function information and the original version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the updated version of user interface information and the original version of user interface information.   
     
     
       12. A slave appliance communicating with a master appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store user interface information and function information used in communicating with the master appliance; and   a slave control device configured to
 send the stored user interface information and function information to the master appliance according to a request of the master appliance, wherein the request of the master appliance is provided after comparing, in the master appliance, the stored information in the slave appliance to stored information in the memory of the master appliance to determine whether the stored information in the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 communicate with the master appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the stored information in the storage corresponds to the updated version of user interface information and function information, and 
 communicate with the master appliance based on an original version of user interface information and function information that is stored in the master appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the updated version of user interface information and function information and the original version of user interface information and function information, the one of the updated version of function information and the original version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the updated version of user interface information and the original version of user interface information.   
     
     
       13. A method of communicating with a master appliance, in a slave appliance, comprising:
 storing user interface information and function information used in communicating with the master appliance;   sending the stored user interface information and function information to the master appliance according to a request of the master appliance, wherein the request of the master appliance is provided after comparing, in the master appliance, the stored information in the slave appliance to stored information in the memory of the master appliance to determine whether the stored information in the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance;   communicating with the master appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the stored information in the storage corresponds to the updated version of user interface information and function information; and   communicating with the master appliance based on an original version of user interface information and function information that is stored in the master appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the updated version of user interface information and function information and the original version of user interface information and function information, the one of the updated version of function information and the original version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the updated version of user interface information and the original version of user interface information.   
     
     
       14. A master appliance communicating with a slave appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store first information including first user interface information and first function information used in communicating with the slave appliance; and   a master control device configured to
 confirm a connection with the slave appliance, 
 compare the stored first information to second information including second user interface information and second function information stored in a memory of the connected slave appliance, to determine whether the second information stored in the memory of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 receive the second information including second user interface information and second function information from the slave appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the second information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 communicate with the slave appliance based on the received second information including second user interface information and second function information, if the second information is received, and 
 communicate with the slave appliance based on the stored first information, if it is determined that the connected slave appliance does not include the updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the first information and the second information, the one of the first function information and the second function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the first user interface information and the second user interface information.   
     
     
       15. A method of communicating with a slave appliance, in a master appliance, comprising:
 storing first information including first user interface information and first function information used in communicating with the slave appliance;   comparing the stored first information to second information including second user interface information and second function information stored in a memory of the connected slave appliance, to determine whether the second information stored in the memory of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance;   receiving the second information including second user interface information and second function information from the slave appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the second information for controlling the slave appliance;   communicating with the slave appliance based on the received second information including second user interface information and second function information, if the second information is received; and   communicating with the slave appliance based on the stored first information, if it is determined that the connected slave appliance does not include the updated version of first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the first information and the second information, the one of the first function information and the second function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the first user interface information and the second user interface information.   
     
     
       16. A slave appliance communicating with a master appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store second information including second user interface information and second function information used in communicating with the master appliance; and   a slave control device configured to
 send the second information including second user interface information and second function information to the master appliance according to a request of the master appliance, wherein the request of the master appliance is provided after comparing, in the master appliance, the second information stored in the slave appliance to first information stored in the memory of the master appliance to determine whether the second information stored in the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
 communicate with the master appliance based on the second information including second user interface information and second function information, if it is determined that the second information stored in the storage corresponds to the updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information stored in the memory of the master appliance, and 
 communicate with the master appliance based on the first information including first user interface information and first function information, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the first information and the second information, the one of the first function information and the second function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the first user interface information and the second user interface information.   
     
     
       17. A method of communicating with a master appliance, in a slave appliance, comprising:
 storing second information including second user interface information and second function information used in communicating with the master appliance;   sending the second information including second user interface information and second function information to the master appliance according to a request of the master appliance, wherein the request of the master appliance is provided after comparing, in the master appliance, the second information stored in the slave appliance to first information stored in the memory of the master appliance to determine whether the second information stored in the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance;   communicating with the master appliance based on the second information including second user interface information and second function information, if it is determined that the second information stored in the storage corresponds to the updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information stored in the memory of the master appliance; and   communicating with the master appliance based on the first information including first user interface information and first function information, if it is determined that the slave appliance does not include the updated version of first information including first user interface information and first function information for controlling the slave appliance,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on one of the first information and the second information, the one of the first function information and the second function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the one of the first user interface information and the second user interface information.   
     
     
       18. A master appliance communicating with a slave appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store information; and   a master control device configured to
 confirm a connection with the slave appliance, 
 receive an updated version of user interface information and function information from the connected slave appliance and upload the received updated version of user interface information and function information to the storage, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance, and 
 communicate with the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the updated version of user interface information and function information is received, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, the updated version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information.   
     
     
       19. A method of communicating with a slave appliance, in a master appliance, comprising:
 confirming a connection with the slave appliance;   receiving an updated version of user interface information and function information from the connected slave appliance, if it is determined that the slave appliance includes the updated version of user interface information and function information for controlling the slave appliance;   uploading the received updated version of user interface information and function information to the storage; and   communicating with the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, if the updated version of user interface information and function information is received,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, the updated version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information.   
     
     
       20. A slave appliance communicating with a master appliance, comprising:
 a storage configured to store user interface information and function information used in communicating with the master appliance; and   a slave control device configured to
 send the stored user interface information and function information to the master appliance when the slave appliance is connected with the master appliance and the stored user interface information and function information in the storage of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information that is stored in the master appliance, 
 communicate with the master appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, after the master appliance receives the updated version of user interface information and function information from the slave appliance, 
   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, the updated version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information.   
     
     
       21. A method of communicating with a master appliance, in a slave appliance, comprising:
 storing user interface information and function information used in communicating with the master appliance;   sending the stored user interface information and function information to the master appliance when the slave appliance is connected with the master appliance and the stored user interface information and function information in the storage of the slave appliance corresponds to an updated version of user interface information and function information that is stored in the master appliance; and   communicating with the master appliance based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, after the master appliance receives the updated version of user interface information and function information from the slave appliance,   wherein the slave appliance is controlled based on the updated version of user interface information and function information, the updated version of function information controlling at least one function of the slave appliance based on the updated version of user interface information.